LADHA: At least 34 suspected militants were killed in clashes in South Waziris­tan and air strikes in North Waziristan on Tuesday night.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement on Wednesday that 22 militants had been killed in “precise air strikes in areas ahead of Dattakhel”.

Sources said military planes pounded militant hideouts in Toor Tangi area of Dattakhel and Zoi Saidgi of Shawal. Three hideouts and compounds were destroyed and 22 terrorists, including a key Taliban commander, were killed.

An ISPR spokesman told Dawn that another 12 militants were killed in clashes with security forces in Shaktui and Kajhori areas of South Waziristan.

Intelligence and militant sources confirmed the reports. They said a group of militants attacked a checkpost in Karkanrh area of Shaktui. Five militants were killed after security forces fired back. Troops took hold o four bodies while the militants managed to take away one body.

A search operation is under way in the Shaktui area and all entry and exit points have been sealed.

The sources said militants fired rockets on checkposts in Dadam Shah, Lakki Sra, Kajhori Top, and Kajhori West in Ghimbaki area of South Waziristan at 11pm on Tuesday. They used heavy weapons in the attack. The security forces returned fire, killing seven militants, including commander Malang.

But Tari Azam, a spokesman of the Mehsud militant group, claimed that only five militants were injured.

The sources said militants also fired rockets on Larami checkpost in Tangi Badinzai area of South Waziristan on Tuesday. Three security personnel suffered injuries. The security forces, they said, had advanced into Tangi Badinzai area, once a stronghold of militant commander Shamim Masud.

According to the sources, security personnel have started establishing bunkers in the area after consolidating their positions.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play